Spring-wheel.



. UNITED sTAtr s .Pn NT OFFICE. I

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ssmm wnnnn Specification Oflt'lili 17mm. Patented Sept. 29', 191d.

Application as January 27, 1913. semi at. 714,299.

Zhgll fakom it may concern:

Be 1t known that we, FREDERICK M. Ross and Houses G ,HORSTMAN, citizensof the ill United States of America, and residents of Cincinnati, countyof Hamilton, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Spring-Wheels, of which the followin is a specificationThis invention re ates to improvements in vehicle wheels, andparticularly to that class commonly used for self-propelled vehicles, inwhich a more or less yielding radial mo tion of the wheel, withreference to its axis, is desirable for the ur se of relieving thevehicle of much of t e incidental shock and vibration to which the wheelis subjected in passing over uneven paving or obstructions.

An object of the invention isto produce a wheel, more simple inconstruction and more effective in operation than those now in use orknown to us, and one in which the relatively movable members, employedfor the purpose of producing the desired radial resiliency ofthe wheel,are located near the center of the wheel,

A further object is to produce a resilient 'wheel in which improvedmeans are employed for engaging and for increasing the resiliency of thesprings, located between the relatively movable members of the wheel.

These and other objects we attain in a wheel embodying the featureshereindescribed, and illustrated in the drawings accompanying andforming a part of the application.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, along the line 11of Fig 2, of the hub portion of a wheel embodying our invention Fig. 2is a transverse sectional view, along the broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1.--Fig; 3 is a side elevation, on a greatly reduced scale, of a wheelembodying our invention. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views, on anenlarged scale, of spools which form details of our invention. Fig. 6 isa fragmentary sectional view, along the line 66 of: Fig. 1, andillustrates the construction ofthe spring engaging slots with which therim is provided.-

The wheel illustrated as an embodinient of our invention comprises afelly 7, which may be of the usual construction, spokes 8,

of any suitable form and a hub portion 9,

which, as illustrated, includes an annular rim 11 a disk or centralmember 12, and a plural tye of sets of springs 13,,Which are locatedtweenthe rim and the disk 12 and operate to yieldingly supportthe disk,on the rim, andto yiel ingly hold it in a concentric position, withrelation to the rim. The disk 12 is annular in form and its inner edgeisprovided withan annular flange 12 which extends at right angles to thedisk and is mounted on a cylindrical sleeve 14, which forms, in effect,the hub proper of the wheel, and is shown the drawings, keyed to an axle1 5. It will be understood, however, that the sleeve 14 may be rotatablymounted on the axle insteadof being ri idly secured thereto, and thatwheels embo ying our invention are adapted't'o be used either assteering or the driving wheels of vehi:

cles. The sleeve 141 is provided at one end with an integrally formedplate 16, and it is provided at an intermediate point with a shoulder16, against which the disk 12 abuts, when it is in place on the sleeve.The disk 12 is adapted to be rigidly secur d to the sleeve 14 by anysuitable means, sue for example, as the key 18, which is located insuitable key-ways, formed in the sleeve 12 and in the sleevell, andwhich positively prevents the disk from turning relatively to v.

the sleeve 14. I

In the wheel illustrated, each set of springs includes a plurality offlat sprin s which are of substantially the same leng h and width, andare arranged side by side, so that they form,- in effect, a leaf springin which the separate springs are not permanently secured together, andare therefore capable of moving, relatively to see other, when subjectedto deflecting strains Each set of springs is loosely mounted on the rim11 with its ends inserted into slots 17, which extend transverselyacross the rim, as shown in Fig; 6, Each slot 17 is provided withinclined walls which converge toward the inner face of the slot, This isfor the purpose of insuring a free deflection of the springs, and ofpreventin the ends of the springs from binding or rom being gripped bythe edges of the slots 17 when the springs are under strain. The disk 12is supported on the springs through the agency of pins 19, which areloosely mounted on spools 20, carried by the disk, and which engage'thesprings at intermediate points, substantially side, and the other, onthe other side, of the disk 12. The pins 19 of each pair are spacedapart, a distance substantially equal to the width of the sets ofsprings which they engage, and one pin is located on each side .of theset of springs engaged. The sets of springs are arranged in-two groups,one being located on one side, and the other on the other side ofthedisk 12. As illustrated, each set of s rings of each group is somounted on the mm 11, that it is crossed by two adjacent sets ofsprings. With this arrangement every other set of springs, of each oup,contacts with, or rests against the afihcent surface-of the disk 12: andthe spools 20, cooperating with these sets of springs, are equal inlength to the thickness of the'disk. The sets of springs of each oup aresimilarly arranged, with respect to the disk 12, and consequently, thespools, which are equal in length to the thickness of the disk (see Fig.4), are held in place, on the disk, by the cooperation of two sets ofsprings located on opposite sides of, and engaging the disk. Theintermed ate sets of springs, that is, those which cross the sprinresting against the d1sk, are supporte by the two sets of springs whichthey cross, and consequently, are spaced from the disk 12a distanceequal to the width of their supporting springs. The spools 20,

- (see Fig. 5) which cooperate with these intermediate sets of springs,are longer than the spools reviously referred to, and project, on. eacside of the disk, into engagement with their cooperating sets ofsprings. This forms an intermediate support for each intermediate set ofsprings, and each spool is held in place on the disk by the cotiperationof the oppositely located sets of springs, with which it contacts.

The springs, the major portion of the rim 11, and the disk 12, areinclosed by a casing, which is shown as formed oftwo annular shells 23and 24, each of which is flanged at its inner and outer edges, so as toengage the disk'12 and the rim 11, respectively. The outer edge of eachshell is secured to the rim by any suitable means, such for example asscrews, while the inner edge is held, in sliding engagement with thedisk 12, by the cotiperation of the plate 16, formed on the sleeve 14,and a plate 22, which, as shown, is screwed onto the end of the sleeve14 and is held in lace by means of a check nut 25. While a is desirableto hold the inner flanges of the shells, against the disk 12, withsuficient pressure to prevent oil from being discharged from the casing,and dirt and grit from being admitted into the easingthe shells are soressed a ainst the disk that their inner anges wil readily slide acrossthe disk 12, to accommodate variations in the relative positions of therim and the disk.

One of the features of our invention is the simplicity of constructionand the ease with which the separate parts can be assembled, or takenapart. In assembling the hub ortion, the sleeve 14 is preferably placedin a vertical position, so that its integrally formed plate 16 forms abase on which it rests. The shell 24 is then placed in position on theplate 16, so that it is substantially concentric with the sleeve 14. Therim 11 is then inserted within the outer flanges of the shell 24, and ifdesired, it may at that time be secured to the shell 24. and the s okesmay be secured to'the rim, if desired The springs 13 of one group arethen located in their proper relative positions, on the shell 24, withtheir ends in the slots 17 provided in the rim 11; This can be readilyaccomplished, since theslots 17 extend clear across the inner face ofthe rim. ,The central element .or disk 12 is then placed on the hub 14,so that it ongages the shoulder 16. The spools 20 are then inserted rdropped into the apertures provided in the disk, so that each spoolrests on one of the sets of springs below the disk. The pins 19 are theninserted through the apertures, formed in the spools, so that each pairof pins engages the set of the springs engaged by its mounting spool.The sets of springs comprising the grou above the plate, are thenlocated in place by inserting their ends into the slots 17 in the rim,and by locating the intermediate portions, of the springs 0 each set,between one pair of pins 19. The shell 23 is then fitted to place withits outer flange in enga ement with the rim 11, and with its inner angein contact with the disk 12. The key 18 is then driven home, for thepurpose of securing the disk to the hub 14 and for preventing it fromrotatin relatively thereto, and the inner edges '0 the inclosing shellsare then secured in place by screwing the plate 22 onto the threaded endof the hub 14. This also forces the disk 12 against the shoulder 16 onthe hub, since the end of the flange 12 is engaged by the plate 22.After the plate 22 is in place, the check nut 25 is screwed onto the hub14 and the outer edge of the shell 23 is secured to the rim 11. When thecasing, or the shells 23 and 24, are in place all of the parts of thehub portion are positively held in position. The pins 19 are all of thesame length, and each is of such length that it is engaged, and held inplace'by both shells 23 and 24,- The It will be understood that thetelly width of the springs,- included in the se' rate sets, are soproportioned, with relation to the thickness of the disk 12 and thewidth of the rim .11, that the outer sets of springs are engaged by theshells, when the shells are in place, and they, in turn, operate to holdthe inner sets of springs in enga ement with the disk 12. Thispositively hol s each of the separate parts of the hub portion in theproper position with relation to the other parts, but it does notprevent a free deflection of the springs or a free relative movementbetween the disk 12 and rim 11.

When it is necessary to-ha-ve access into the casing, for the purpose ofremoving any of the springs or parts inclosed within the casing, allthat is necessary is to remove the plate 2:2 and the shell 23. If thisdoes not give access to the desired set of springs, or the desiredparts, the disk 12 may then be removed.

It Will be understood that any desired number of sets of springs may beemployed in each group, and that they ma bearranged in various positionswith re ation to each other. We preferably employ six sets of springs ineach group, and so locate them that each set crosses two adjacent setsand is inclined at an angle of substantially 60 degrees to each of theadjacent sets. In other words, the sets of springs of each group arearranged hexagonally, with rela tion to each other, with the endsof eachset of s n'ings crossing the ends of adjacent sets,

When the entire Wheel is assembled and the spokes are secured in placebetweenthe rim 11 and the telly 7, and the wheel is supported in theusual position, the disk 12 is supported on the rim 11 by the springs 13and the weight of the axle is transmitted to the spokes of the Wheel,through the agency of the pins 19, the springs. 13, and

the rim 11'. The result is that the pressure between the springs and thepins is exerted on the springs ata oint to produce the maximumdeflection of the springs and consequently the maximum resiliency of thewheel. No matter in What position the wheel is located, at least twosets of springs of each group receivethe major portion of the Weightborne by the wheel and are subjected to the maximum deflection. Each setof springs, moreover, cotiperateswith every other set and bears aproportionate part of the load. The spools 20 are, however, provided forthe purpose of preventing the pins '19 from binding or gripping the setsof springs, with which they cooperate, and of thereby impairing theresiliency of the Wheel. This is accomplished by rotatably mr zuiing thespools on the disk 12, so that they are capable of turning in-responscto forces transmitted to them, by the pins 19,

and of thereby accommodating their positions to the varying positions ofthe springs.

This permits the springs of set to slide relatively to their engagingpins,=. when other sets of; springs are subjected to men. mumdistortion. Under suchv conditions the springs of each 'set are free todeflect; and springs-+1501, directly subjected to a crossbeziding strainareevented from limit ing the deflection o springssubjected tocross-bendi1ig strains. The sudden shock! and. jars to which the wheels,are ordinarily subject in traversing a road or street, will therefore,be almost wholly taken up by the springs 13, and will not be imparted tothe vehicle. 7 l I The wheel illustrated is well adapted for use as thedriving wheel of a self-prope led vehicle, since the springs will responto in which they are employed will be relieved of the sudden jerksresulting from a sudden starting ofthe engine; or a suddenapplicationotthe brakes,- since the tendency of the disk 12 to movecircmnferentially; with relation to the im 11,- wil} cause each set ofpins to subject its corresponding springs: to adeflectiiigforce, and thepointof applies tion of the force will be located at the point ofmaximum deflection at each set of sprin 2 It is however to be noticedthat the strains resulting from torsional forces; wit-hiir, the wheelare borne equally by all of the springs and that therefore,- the follyof the whee will not tend to lag, or move eiflrcumferen tiallyoi thedisk 12, when the wheel is suit- .jected to the usual torsional strains,The fact that the spools 20 are rotatively mount edonthe disk 12,.permits the pins 19 to egually distribute the torsional forces on all othe sets of springsempl'oyed, and there,- fore'i-mproves the operationof the wheel.

Inaccordance' with theUnibed States patent;- statut ;es,' we have,illustrated and do its scribed what We now believe tobe the "referredembodiment of ou-r invention, an We desire. it to be understoodthat;various changes, modifications and substitutions may he made in; thedevice illustrated, without departing from the, spirit andscopei of ourclaims.-

4 What we claim is:

1. In combination with a rim, :1 disk surrounded by, but spaced from therim, a pluiuvention as set forth by the appended its rality of sets ofstraightflat springs, mounted on said rim, each set of springs beingengaged by the rim at its ends only, and pincarrying spools mounted onthe disk, for supporting the disk on the springs.

2. In combination with an annular rim,

-; adisk conc entricwitm but spaced" amasd'id a' plurality of sets ofsprings mounted on saidrim, spools rotatably mounted on the disk andpins carried by the spools for engaging each set of springs .atintermediate points. 4

3. In combination with a substantially annular 'rim, a disk, surroundedby, but

' 5. In combination with a substantially annular rim, a disk surroundedby, but

spaced from said rim, a plurality of springs, each spring having itsends only, supported by the rim, spools rotatably mounted on said d1sk,and a pair of pins loosely mounted on each spool, for slidably engagingeach spring at a point between its ends.

6. In a resilient wheel, a hubportion comprising an annular rim, anaxle-engaging sleeve having a plate'integrally fo'rmedat one endthereof, a substantially annular disk surrounded by the rim, butradially spaced therefrom, and having'an annular flange formed at theinner edge thereof, said disk'being mounted on said sleeve, a set ofsprings located on each side of said disk, with the'ends of each setloosely engaged by slots formed in therim, means mounted on the disk forengaging'each set of springs at a point intermediate its ends andasubstantially annular casing secured at its outer edge to said rim, forholding said springs 1n position relatively to said rim and said disk,and a plate secured to said sleeve, and cooperating with said integrallyformed plate I for clamping the inner edges of said casing,

against'said disk. I v p 7. In a resilient wheel, a hub portioncomprising an annular rim, having a plurality of transversely extendingslots formed across the inner face thereof, an axle-engaging sleeve,having an integrally formed plate located at one end thereof, asubstantially annular disk having an annular flange formed at the inneredge thereof and mounted on said sleeve, a group of springs located oneach-side of said disk, each spring having its ends loosely engaged bytwo of the slots formed in'the rim, means movably mounted on the disk,for loosely engaging the springs at points intermediate their ends, acasing formed of two cooperating, substantially annular shells, forholding said springs in position relatively to the rim and the disk, andmeans coiiperating -with said integrally flanged plate, for clampingeach shell against said disk.

8. In a resilient wheel, a hub portion comprising, an annular rim anaxle-en aging sleeve having an integrally formed p ate located at oneend thereof, an annular disk havingan annular flange formed at the inneredge thereof and mounted on the sleeve, a plurality of sets of springslocated on each side of said disk, with the ends of each set looselyengaged by transversely extending slots, formed across the inner face ofthe rim, spools'rotatably mounted on the disk,

pins loosely mounted on the spools for en-8 0 gaging said springs atpoints between their ends, a casing for holding said springs, said pinsand said spools, in their proper relative positions, and comprising twosubstantially annular shells secured at their outer edges to said rim,and means cooperating with said integrally formed plate, for clampingthe inner edges of said shells against said disk.

9. In combination in a wheel, a hub portion, comprising a sleeve havingan. in-

tegrally formed plate located at one end and threaded at the otherend,an annular disk having'a flange around its inner edge and capable ofbeing moved to position on said sleeve, over the threaded end of thesleeve, spools loosely engaged by the disk, pins loosely engaged by thespools, a rim surrounding the disk, a plurality of sets of springsloosely mounted on said rim and engaged at intermediate points by saidpins, a casing engaging the rim and the disk and holding the springs,the pins and the spools in their proper relative position, and a platescrewed onto the threaded end of the sleeve for cooperating with theplate integrally formed on the sleeve in holding the disk in place onthe sleeve and the inner edges of the casing in place relatively to thedisk.

10. In combination with a substantially annular rim, a plurality of setsof fiat bar springs mounted on the rim in segmental relation thereto andwith their ends only engaged thereby, pin-carrying means rotatablymounted on said central member, with the pins of each means engaging asetof springs at a point intermediate its ends and capable of movinglongitudinally, relatively to the set 'engagedtherby.

In testimony whereof, we havehereunto subscribed our names this 24th dayof J anu'ary,'1913.

. FREDERICK M. ROSS. HORACE G. HORSTMAN.

Witnesses: v

E. W. MCCALLISTER, W. THORNTON Boomer.

